On top of an annual flu vaccine and a new COVID booster, seniors and babies will now be eligible for one more immunization — against respiratory syncytial virus.
Anyone can get RSV, but it can be especially dangerous for newborns and older people with underlying health problems.
That’s why federal regulators signed off on a new RSV shot for seniors, says Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt professor who focuses on preventative medicine and infectious diseases.
The vaccines are for people over 60. The CDC reports that each year, at least 60,000 seniors are hospitalized with the virus, and at least 6,000 die from it.
Babies are also at a higher risk because their airways are so tiny. Last year, infections were sending toddlers to the hospital. Last week, the FDA approved a shot to protect infants against RSV, and now, Schaffner says the CDC is reviewing it.
“The CDC advisory committee is meeting … to make a recommendation of which young babies should receive this,” Schaffner said. “It’s like getting the antibody premade that will protect young children against this serious RSV infection.”
There’s established evidence that it’s safe to get the COVID booster and flu shot at the same time, but there isn’t evidence yet for the new RSV shots. So Schaffner recommends waiting a couple weeks in between.
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